... work, Don, at least not for me. I have never once bid (or not bid) on an item based on the seller's feedback rating. I have never even looked at a seller's feedback prior to bidding. The only time I have ever looked at it is when I was corresponding regarding fraudulent or misleading auction descriptions.

The -4 rule is completely dumb. All you have to do to avoid that is get a few positives first, then you can screw up a lot without ever getting to -4.

For most eBay chip transactions, the amount of money involved is small enough that I'm willing to take a chance on ANY seller (at least until burned once). So far, I've been screwed by non-delivery only once (an NFL chip shot for which my bid was 50 cents!).

If I was bidding enough to where I was concerned about the integrity of the seller, I'd want a lot more reassurance than the eBay feedback system before I sent my money off.

Best and safest practice ---- buy expensive stuff only from someone you know. For chips, we have a core group of reliable, honest and trustworthy dealers and part-time dealers/casual sellers to whom, regardless of eBay ratings, I would send payment in any amount without question or doubt about receiving the item purchased. Any chip I can't get from one of these regulars, I don't really need. [You're on my good list, Don! <g>]

A CC>CC membership number means far more to me than an eBay feedback rating of any level.

----- jim o\-S